Kindness Goes A Long Way

1 Corinthians 13:4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”

Ephesians 4:32 “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Think

Mark Twain said, “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can read."

Kindness is like a universal language that speaks directly to the heart, bypassing the need for intellectual understanding. It's more than just a feeling; it's an active attitude of being willing to help and assist others with gracious and well-disposed service. This generosity isn't just about feeling generous, it's about actually being generous in our actions, embodying a gentle behavior that seeks the welfare of others.

In Greek, the word for kind is chresteumai. In the second century, the example of Christian love was so striking that pagans referred to Christians as "chresteumai," emphasizing their embodiment of mildness or kindness.

Are we, as Christians, known for such kindness in our modern world?

When Paul talks about love, he doesn't focus on performing grand deeds, but rather on how love manifests in the everyday interactions among sinful, broken, needy people. Love isn't just about being affectionate in ideal circumstances; it's about showing kindness even in the tough situations of a flawed world, an imperfect church, and even a messed-up home. This kindness isn't just a feeling; it's performing good deeds and reflects a good-natured disposition. The root of the Greek verb for kindness emphasizes being useful, highlighting a disposition to be of service to others.

When Jesus commanded his disciples, which includes all believers, to love their enemies, he wasn't just talking about feeling kindly toward them, he was calling us to actively demonstrate kindness in our actions toward them.

Apply

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:15, which encourages us to always seek to do good to one another. How can you apply this principle in your interactions today?

Pray

Jesus, I confess I fall short of your example of kindness. I pray for the strength to persevere in showing kindness, even in the face of adversity or opposition. Help me to be kind and compassionate toward others, just as you are kind and compassionate toward me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.